Can GM's hybrids live up to the hype?

And it's still coming

I read a few stories this morning on how GM has again confirmed that the technology that was to power the Saturn Vue hybrid, including the plug-in version, will live. Whoohoo!

Now I'm not certain whether it's GM that keeps trying to reiterate this message, or if it's pro-GM writers that just have to find something to write about GM's hybrid vehicles. Ultimately, since GM won't offer a new hybrid for at least another year, what else is there besides repeating these juicy stories of how the Vue hybrid lives, or on how the Chevy Volt's blinker color has changed?

Certainly, many are excited to see the launch of the Volt late next year, however, since GM's production plans are so limited for the first few years, this excitement is more hype than reality.

Of course, it isn't just the Volt next year, but also some new lithium-powered BAS hybrids, as well as the new Vue hybrid not longer after. And these new hybrids better be, at least, mild hybrid hits.

In the last several years GM has gone from slamming hybrids like the Toyota Prius to claiming that their hybrid technology was better than Toyota's to even claiming they could totally leapfrog a hybrid like the Prius.

Starting next year, when the rubber begins to hit the road, the reality better live up to the hype. Otherwise, GM's public perception will never recover.